| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Louis Lambert by Honore de Balzac: his true love's arms. He was buried by her desire in an island in the
park at Villenoix. His tombstone is a plain stone cross, without name
or date. Like a flower that has blossomed on the margin of a
precipice, and drops into it, its colors and fragrance all unknown, it
was fitting that he too should fall. Like many another misprized soul,
he had often yearned to dive haughtily into the void, and abandon
there the secrets of his own life.
Mademoiselle de Villenoix would, however, have been quite justified in
recording his name on that cross with her own. Since her partner's
death, reunion has been her constant, hourly hope. But the vanities of
woe are foreign to faithful souls.
Louis Lambert |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Awakening & Selected Short Stories by Kate Chopin: the newcomer stood between them, a little amusement and some
defiance struggling with the confusion in his face.
"I believe," stammered Brantain, "I see that I have stayed too long.
I--I had no idea--that is, I must wish you good-by." He was clutching
his hat with both hands, and probably did not perceive that she was
extending her hand to him, her presence of mind had not completely
deserted her; but she could not have trusted herself to speak.
"Hang me if I saw him sitting there, Nattie! I know it's
deuced awkward for you. But I hope you'll forgive me this
once--this very first break. Why, what's the matter?"
"Don't touch me; don't come near me," she returned angrily.
Awakening & Selected Short Stories |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Mistress Wilding by Rafael Sabatini: were riding for the bridge and the road to Weston Zoyland.
"It is a miracle you remained in Bridgwater," said Richard as they rode.
"How came you to be left behind?"
"I had a task assigned me in the town against the Duke's return
to-morrow," Wilding explained, and he spoke almost mechanically, his
mind full of - anguished by - thoughts of Ruth.
"Against the Duke's return?" cried Richard, first surprised and then
thinking that Wilding spoke at random. "Against the Duke's return?" he
repeated.
"That is what I said?"
"But the Duke is marching to Gloucester."
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